SiouxVolley

So the PE program isn't the only one in the Big Sky? Their fracking in Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado, but that not important to Indiana or Illinois. Rural medicine is a major issue in remote western regions. If you don't believe it, wait six months or longer. See who's right. The MVC private schools have the power, and they don't want UND football because it removes a school like Murray State as a full candidate. If Murray State can't get football in, they can't move. Common sense.

Per NCAA rules, two men's team sports need to qualify for auto bids in order for basetball's auto bid to survive. It's grace period for baseball is T minus 8 months, or its done for. That means the Summit has to get two more teams per the NCAA or it loses its basketball bid. ORU is already in the Summit for men's soccer. They won't be returning as student recruiting is 1000's of times better with Texas and Louisiana for Pentecostal students (yet alone athletes). SDSU fans can talk all there want, but there more interest in protecting Sioux Falls bid than the actual Slummit league. That is the Slummit's reality: only SDSU and USD treasure the conference and no one else. No schools were actually named by Johnston. Why is that? Nobody wants there names floating around, whether DI or DII. Every school invited to the Slummit except Denver and Centenary has been invited from DII ranks. It has been a beginner league all the time and nothing the changing that except for a TV contract (which it doesn't have). The more likely option is DII teams like Concordia (St Paul), Mankato, Duluth, Lindenwood, S Indiana, Bellarmine, but none of the are ready to commit until late spring . UND 's alignment with the Big Sky helps with programs like the Medical school, EERC, Petroleum engineering, by associating academically with a conference in the western region. Fargo and Sioux Falls are not the target academically: the West is. Contrary to public opinion in Fargo, provincial Fargo and Sioux Falls media blowhards opinion does not determine academic and conference prestige. The MVC reserves to right invite Murray St with an MVFC bid if it opens up. That school will be the target if an MVFC school (Mo St) leaves, as Murray State is a basketball school acceptable to MVC private schools. It's not to far for their precious bus league and opens up another state (Kentucky), allowing them to add Belmont later. If a private school is needed, they'll take Valpo (and the Horizon robs IPFW or Robert Morris). Conferences think strategically and SDSU and NDSU are not part of their vision for two and three steps down the road. UND will only be an immediate fix for the Slummit, and for UND that is unacceptable. Douple can't cohesively lay out a plan if X, Y, and Z move. A conference is among the living dead if NJIT is added. When Denver leaves, or when IPFW leaves, or when IUPUI leaves, or Omaha, that opens an entirely new can of worns if UND if is in the Slummit.

You would think the town would rally behind the first ever possible Big Sky champions, but only 1000 and 800 something in this weekend's games. A crowd of 1200 for Saturday matinee and 800 Thursdays are what the team draws, and only made 800 on a Saturday night with no UND team at home. It deserves better then that. The 2700 in the game against NDSU is the only reason the team is the top 50 in attendance.

Portland State beat NAU 3-1. The match against PSU takes on added importance: a UND practically clinched the Big Sky. A loss and PSU in tied and in control.

The Hooker doesn't redshirt, redshirt Webb or Anderson. All three are not needed, but two are, especially for next year.

UND had a slow start last night to Bemidji. Beat them by 12 after finally warming up the 2nd half. SDSU beat them by 30. Going to have to a strong effort the whole game at Iowa State.

Over on the Jack board, they are saying that 4 teams are just begging to get in the Summit. One of them UND. Guess were going to drop football. The other teams are Eastern Illinois (they have an exit fee of nearly $1 from the OVC), NMSU (they are talking adding men's soccer to help the WAC), ORU (exit fees and they are happy to get out of the Summit), UALR (old rumor when the Summit still had Centenery and ORU and UMKC). The four teams are almost certainly DII teams (like Lindenwood, S Ind, maybe Bellarmine) that won't help their baseball situation for years. The Summit is a bottom feeding league so getting a Horizon team is just absurd. Oakland left for their. For todays chuckle: http://sdsufans.com/...Wednesday/page2 Jack fans are the most clueless in the NCAA about realignment. Somehow Sioux Falls is attractive to teams.

Last week they dropped after losing to NAU. Playing SUU drops them in the ratings because SUU is so bad. Even after this week, Weber is a low rated team and Idaho State is just middling. UND can't climb against those teams, just fall. The key to have a higher RPI is winning non--conference games. If they played UAB, Austin Peay, Mid Tenneessee, and USD again, they would probably win with Pioske the way she's playing. Those losses hurt the comparisons.

I feel pretty good about this weekend, as our home court advantage is pretty substantial. If the fans don't turn out and its a morgue, all bets are off. What will be hard is @ PSU. They are difficult to beat in their tiny gym.

Won 4th set 25-16 to wrap up match. Pioske with 21 kills.

Inexplicably, UND loses the 3rd set (to the 2nd worst team in the Sky).

At least the volleyball team is winning, 2-0.

Attendance 1770 NDSU attendance vs UMC 560. Their volleyball team outdraws that! Zombie night at the BSA.

Leah Sbala had 10 assists. Just what the Dr ordered after last year's backcourt fiasco.

Trading trips to Colorado for Alaska and Alabama? Don't think so. If W Mich was gonna make a move, they'd form a league with BGSU, Ferris, Miami, Mercyhust, Canisius, Niagara, Robert Morris. Miami would have a hard time being convinced. That league centered around Lake Erie almost formed the last time. That's what the article suggests. BGSU is probably pushing strongly for it and it may have the W NY Atlantic Hockey teams behind it. Atlantic Hockey was supposed to announce St. Anselms or Navy or Rhode Island by now. Something is holding it up. If this is true, the NCHC might be in trouble. Either add Mankato and Bemdji or get an Iowa St, Colorado, or Utah.

Did you gets yours? I got four at 10:30.

Minnesota-Crookston today. NDSU beat then by 5 pts, so we have a gauge on if the team is struggling or not. Should beat either by 30.

UND dominates the 5th set 15-9 to win 3-2. Hard to see UND not at least getting a share of the Big Sky. Pioske does everything, and she is just a freshman.

If he applies for an FBS job, his past will make news in that state. "Overemphazing a minor incident" - had a major impact on his life. I'm all for grace, but past behavior gets recycled in the media. Seem not too concerned about effects of message board rumors on Mussman's family.

If a coach has a salacious scandal in his past, those facts will be opened up before getting a top FBS job. It's hardly bashing when telling it like it is. Think Bohl wouldn't apply because what he would force his family through.

Bohl's situation, though hardly discussed outside Nebraska, involved unborn twins. Petrino's situation was national, without the kids. Pelini's brother got fired yesterday at FAU for marijuana. I suspect the tirade Pelini went on against Nebraska fans is not forgotten (as well as losing to Minn). Bet Bohl has not been forgiven by Nebraska fans to this day and there would be open rebellion in Nebraska if Bohl's name is mentioned. The Fargo media never mentioned Bohl's escapades. You can make Bohl a saint if you want, but Mussman is a better man and husband. Bohl has coaching going for him. http://www.huskerboard.com/index.php?/topic/21950-craig-bohl/

About as much chance as Bobby Petrino returning to Arkansas. Same situation. Petrino only found a job at WKU and would have to pay back the salary if he moves. Bohl could go FBS at a similar school, but not BCS.

Since the official line is that the dance team is no longer part of the athletic department, so they can't represent the athletic department (but some club like the Gold Star Band hypocritically can represent the department), Bison fans can use it to their advantage. Move the women's basketball and volleyball to club status, and they no longer can represent NDSU. It would save a ton of grief and embarrassment. Lynn Dorn would surely approve.

Any comment by me is forensically slice and diced on b-ville. Just hilarious that you fail to see the sarcasm. Bresciani and Taylor are not acting like an FBS bid is forthcoming, so none is. NDSU fans can talk hysterically about FBS, but no FBS commissioner would ever grant FBS status to NDSU in this day and age. A market and recruiting region that is a wasteland. I am sure the Summit is on the phone with any school, but those phone calls are terse and short. Somebody have a baseball team? Desparate need for one.

Calling happens on the Presidential level. Bresciani has been working the phones, but no dice.